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@article{190298,
        author = {Chavan Sakshi ajinath and Amanpreet Kaur Dumda Palaya},
        title = {EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {1476-1484},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190298},
        abstract = {The widespread adoption of social media has fundamentally altered communication, social interaction, and information exchange, particularly among adolescents and young adults who represent the most active users of digital platforms. While social media offers benefits such as social connection, self-expression, psychoeducation, and access to mental health resources, growing evidence indicates that excessive or problematic use may adversely affect mental health. This review critically examines the epidemiology of social media use, its association with mental health outcomes, underlying mechanisms, vulnerable populations, and implications for pharmacy practice. Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggests that higher intensity or problematic social media use is associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, loneliness, and signals related to self-harm and suicidality, particularly among adolescents. Key mechanisms linking social media use to mental health outcomes include social comparison, passive consumption, cyberbullying, fear of missing out, sleep displacement, and algorithmic amplification of emotionally charged or harmful content. However, the effects are heterogeneous and moderated by factors such as age, gender, pre-existing mental health conditions, type of platform, and motives for use. Importantly, social media also presents opportunities for mental health promotion through psychoeducation, peer support, and digitally delivered interventions when supported by ethical design and appropriate safeguards. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals, are well positioned to screen for problematic digital behaviors, provide counseling on healthy social media use and sleep hygiene, support medication adherence, and facilitate referral to mental health services. Despite a growing evidence base, limitations such as reliance on cross-sectional designs, inconsistent measurement of social media exposure, and rapidly evolving platforms highlight the need for longitudinal research, standardized assessment tools, and evaluation of pharmacy-led interventions. A balanced, evidence-informed approach is essential to maximize the benefits of social media while minimizing risks to mental well-being.},
        keywords = {social media, mental health, depression, anxiety, adolescents, social comparison},
        month = {January},
        }